Woman raped by 3 men during Halloween party at downtown Athens bar, police report says

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — A woman was raped by three men, including one wearing a Joker mask, during a Halloween party at a downtown Athens bar, according to a police report.

Between late Saturday night and early Sunday morning, a 20-year-old woman said she was at a Halloween-themed event at Duke’s and Dottie’s, a bar and dance club on East Broad Street, when a man wearing a Joker costume offered to buy her a drink, the report from the Athens-Clarke County Police Department says.

When the woman declined the offer, the man grabbed her arm and forced her inside a bathroom, where two other men were waiting. The woman said the three men took turns raping her.

After the men left, the woman realized they took her purse, which was carrying her iPhone.

The woman got a ride from a friend, whom she told about the assault. The friend drove the victim to a hospital in Barrow County.

The Athens police report said the department received a call from Barrow County police about the assault around 4 a.m. Sunday.

Police have not publicly identified the suspects or announced arrests.

This latest assault adds to the growing concerns about the bar.

“I am shocked and upset to hear that,” said Miles Peck, a longtime Athens resident. “Obviously, it’s very upsetting. My thoughts and my heart are with that young person.”

Peck started an online petition to suspend Duke’s and Dottie’s liquor license. Peck said concerning behavior on numerous occasions prompted the petition.

During a visit to the bar once, Peck said it was overcrowded and rowdy.

“I do believe that in this particular case, because of the history of accusations of violence and now rape, that there is clearly an issue for a bar that has only existed in our space for two, two and a half years,” Peck said. “That is not normal in our town, and it’s very concerning. And I hope that there is a deep dive done into the back end of this, because I think that absolutely this seems like a particularly egregious location and incident.”

More than 3,000 people have signed the online petition in support.

The petition also calls for Athens-Clarke County police to investigate Duke’s and Dottie’s practices.

Peck said he hopes the petition sends a message to the bar and other Athens businesses.

“Serving the city of Athens is a privilege, and I feel there are clear indications that’s not being respected at Duke’s and Dottie’s,” he said.

Atlanta News First reached out to the parent company of Duke’s and Dottie’s, Danger Hart Hospitality, and its owner.

This is a developing story. Check back with Atlanta News First for updates.